Portable concrete saw

ABSTRACT

The portable concrete saw of the present invention includes a frame with first and second side members and cross members that connect the first and second side members together. It also includes a cantilever member pivotally mounted to the frame and an actuator for moving the cantilever member to a selected position and holding it at that position. The cantilever member supports an internal combustion engine, electric motor or other power source and a cutting blade driven by the power source. The method of forming this saw includes forming openings in the side members, inserting end portions of the cross members into the openings to form the frame, and pivotally mounting a cantilever member to the frame.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/507,085, filed on Feb. 18, 2000, and titled “Portable Cutting Apparatus.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to portable saws, and more particularly to portable saws for cutting concrete. Although the present invention finds particular utility in concrete cutting, it may provide similar cutting functions in a variety of other applications, such as in cutting asphalt and other paving materials.

[0004] 2. Description of Prior Art

[0005] The cutting of dry, in-place concrete and other paving materials typically occurs at a building site or a road site. These sites continuously change as work progresses, filling with dust, moisture and other more hazardous and corrosive substances. Thus, machinery used at these sites, and more specifically the cutting saws used at these sites, should have a light construction for portability; they should have a simple construction to avoid malfunction; and they should have a durable construction that avoids wear and withstands dust, moisture and other harmful substances. In addition, they should cut precisely, quickly and effectively. Finally, these saws should allow quick and easy adjustment to accommodate a variety of concrete thicknesses.

[0006] The frame construction of the concrete saw of the present invention is light-weight and it has a weight distribution that make it highly maneuverable. It provides an adjustable platform for supporting an internal combustion engine, electric motor or other power source and a cutting blade. This platform allows an operator to change the position of the engine and the cutting blade and precisely set the depth of cut while keeping the handle of the saw at a constant height and angle relative to an operator. Accordingly, the concrete saw of the present invention is light-weight and highly portable; and it withstands the elements, providing precise and effective cutting in a wide variety of environmental conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, a portable concrete saw includes a frame with first and second side members disposed in spaced apart relation and a plurality of cross members that extend between the first and second side members and connect them together. A cantilever member lies pivotally connected to the frame and to an actuator used to move the cantilever member to a desired position. The cantilever supports an engine and a cutting blade operatively associated with the engine. Wheel means rotatably mounted to the frame support the frame and allow the apparatus to roll over a supporting surface.

[0008] The method of forming the apparatus of the present invention includes providing first and second side members, forming openings in the side members, providing a plurality of cross members, inserting end portions of the cross members into the openings to form a frame, and pivotally mounting a cantilever member to the frame. This method further includes mounting an actuator to the frame for adjusting the position of the cantilever member and mounting wheel means to the frame to allow the frame and the apparatus to roll over a supporting surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a more complete understanding of this invention, one should now refer to the embodiment illustrated in greater detail in the accompanying drawings and described below by way of an example of the invention. In the drawings:

[0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the portable concrete saw of the present invention;

[0011]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the frame and cantilever member of the present invention, showing the cantilever member in a lowered position;

[0012]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the frame and cantilever member, showing the cantilever member in a raised position;

[0013]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the portable concrete saw of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

[0015]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4; and

[0016]FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 4.

[0017] While the following disclosure describes the invention in connection with one embodiment, one should understand that the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Furthermore, one should understand that the drawings are not to scale and that graphic symbols, diagrammatic representatives, and fragmentary views, in part, may illustrate the embodiment. In certain instances, the disclosure may not include details which are necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Turning now to the drawings and referring specifically to FIG. 1, the portable concrete saw 10 of the present invention generally includes a frame 11, an engine 12, a blade and cover assembly 13, a cantilever member 14 for supporting the engine and the blade and cover assembly, and an actuator assembly 15 for adjusting the position of the cantilever member. This apparatus 10 finds particular utility as a saw for “wet cutting” concrete, but it may serve the same or similar function in a variety of other wet cutting as well as dry cutting applications. The frame 11 is an open structure that includes first and second side members 16 and 17 cast or otherwise formed of aluminum or any other suitable material of high strength and rigidity. These side members have substantially the same size and shape; they have an overall L-shaped configuration; and they define bores for receiving end portions of cross-members of the frame 11, as described below.

[0019] First, second and third cross-members 18, 19 and 20, respectively, extend between the first and second side members perpendicularly of the side members. (See FIG. 4). They are round tubes made of aluminum or any other light weight material of high strength and rigidity. They have substantially the same length to place the first side member in parallel relation with the second side member. Each of the side members 16 and 17 include a counterbore at the three locations where they receive end portions of the cross members 18-20. At these locations, an end portion of a cross member extends into one of the counterbores of a side member. A tube connector, which lies in the end portion of the cross-member, tightly secures the end portion to the side member by clamping the end portion against the walls of the counterbore. (One example of a tube connector is the Plastiglide Ram Connector manufactured by ITW of Waterbury, Conn.)

[0020] In addition to the cross members 18-20, a console plate 21 extends between the top edge portions of the side members 16 and 17 and co-operates with the cross-members, as well as the side members, to form the ladder-like, L-shaped configuration of the frame 11. Also, a roller axle 22 extends between the bottom edge portions of the side members 16 and 17; and a wheel axle 23 extends between mid portions of the side members inwardly of the axle 22. (See FIGS. 5 and 6). The axle 22 rotatably mounts a pair of rollers 24 to the frame 11, while the axle 23 rotatably mounts a pair of wheels 25 to the frame. The rollers 24 and the wheels 25 support the frame 11 above a supporting surface, and they allow the apparatus 10 to roll over a supporting surface.

[0021] The wheel axle 23 also extends through openings in the cantilever member 14 and pivotally mounts the cantilever member 14 to the frame 11. The cantilever member 14 is a plate-like structure made out of metal (e.g., steel or aluminum plate) or any other suitable material of high strength and rigidity. It has a flat supporting surface 26 for supporting the engine 12, flange portions 27 and 28 for pivotally connecting the member 14 to the actuator assembly 15 (as described below) and flange portions 29 and 30 for supporting the blade and cover assembly 13. The cantilever member 14 also supports a pointer assembly 31 which includes an arm segment 31 a and a wheel 31 b rotatably mounted to the distal end of the arm segment 31 a.

[0022] The actuator assembly 15 facilitates adjustment of the cantilever member 14, e.g., to the lower position of FIG. 2 and to the raised position of FIG. 3. This assembly 15 includes a first segment 32 and a second segment 33. The first segment 32 comprises a tube whose lower end lies pivotally mounted to the flange portions 27 and 28 of the cantilever member 14, while the second segment 33 includes a rod portion 33 a with a threaded outer surface and a wheel and handle portion 33 b fixedly secured (as by welding) to the top end of the rod portion 33 a. The rod portion 33 a extends through a bearing 34 on the console plate 21 and threads into the top end portion of the first segment 32 in telescoping fashion. Rotation of the wheel and handle portion 33 b of the actuator assembly lifts or lowers the first segment 32 and accordingly rotates the cantilever member 14 about the axle 23. (The bearing 34 allows slight pivoting of the rod portion 33 a).

[0023] The blade and cover assembly 13 includes an axle 35 rotatable mounted to the bottom of the cantilever member 14 across the front end of the member 14 by two bearings 35 a. (See FIGS. 4 and 7). The axle 35 supports a blade 36 at one end and a pulley 37 at the opposite end. The engine 12 drives the pulley 37 through a pulley on the engine's drive axle and a belt 38. The pulley 37 thus drives the axle 35, rotating the blade 36 so that it may cut concrete or other materials. A cover 39, including a stationary segment 39 a fixedly secured to the flange 29 and a pivotable segment 39 b pivotally secured to the segment 39 a, covers the blade 36; and a tube and fitting assembly 40 directs water or other cooling medium to the blade.

[0024] A handle 41 which lies detachably secured to the top end of the frame 11, proximate the console member 21, allows an operator to grasp the apparatus 10 and push it along a desired path. Although the drawings show a single setting or position for the handle, the saw may have multiple settings to allow an operator to adjust the handle to any comfortable position, and leave it in this position during the cutting operation, regardless of the elevation of the cantilever member 14 and cutting blade 36. The operator need not use this handle 41 to raise and lower the cutting blade 36—the operator uses the actuator assembly 15 to do so independently of the handle.

[0025] While the above description and the drawings disclose and illustrate one embodiment, one should understand, of course, that the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains may make other modifications and other embodiments employing the principles of this invention, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Therefore, by the appended claims, the applicant intends to cover any modifications and other embodiments as incorporate those features which constitute the essential features of this invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable cutting apparatus comprising: a frame that includes first and second side members disposed in spaced relation and a plurality of cross members disposed between the side members and secured to the side members; a cantilever member pivotally mounted to the frame; an engine secured to the cantilever member; a cutting blade operatively associated with the engine; an actuator for adjusting the position of the cantilever member; wheel means rotatably mounted to the frame for supporting the frame and allowing the apparatus to roll over a supporting surface.
 2. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the side members are one-piece and integrally formed.
 3. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cross members are tubular.
 4. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cantilever member is a plate-like platform structure that defines a supporting surface for the engine.
 5. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a first segment and a second segment disposed in generally telescoping relation with each other, the first segment being pivotally mounted to the cantilever member, the second segment being mounted to the frame.
 6. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first segment is pivotally mounted to the one end of the cantilever member which is pivotally mounted to the frame and wherein the second segment is rotatably mounted to the frame.
 7. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second segment threads into the first segment.
 8. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second segment includes a handle portion.
 9. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel means includes a pair of wheels and a pair of rollers having a smaller diameter than the diameter of the wheels.
 10. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame includes a handle for grasping the apparatus and moving it.
 11. A portable cutting apparatus comprising: a frame that includes first and second side members disposed in spaced relation and a plurality of cross members disposed between the side members and secured to the side members; a cantilever member pivotally mounted to the frame; an engine secured to the cantilever member; a cutting blade operatively associated with the engine; an actuator for adjusting the position of the cantilever member; wheel means rotatably mounted to the frame for supporting the frame and allowing the apparatus to roll over a supporting surface; the first and second side members being disposed in a generally parallel relation and having a generally L-shaped configuration; the first and second side members defining openings having a predetermined depth for receiving end portions of the cross members.
 12. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 11, wherein end portions of the cross members are inserted in a press fit into corresponding openings in the side members.
 13. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the cross members lie in a generally parallel and spaced apart relation.
 14. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the wheel means includes a pair of wheels rotatably mounted to the frame at a mid portion of the frame and a pair of rollers rotatably mounted to an end portion of the frame.
 15. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 14, wherein an axle rotatably mounts the wheels and the cantilever member to the frame.
 16. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cross members are tubular.
 17. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the cantilever member is a plate-like platform structure that defines a supporting surface for the motor.
 18. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the actuator includes a first segment and a second segment disposed in generally telescoping relation with each other, the first segment being pivotally mounted to the cantilever member, the second segment being mounted to the frame.
 19. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first segment is pivotally mounted to the one end of the cantilever member which is pivotally mounted to the frame and wherein the second segment is rotatably mounted to the frame.
 20. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 19, wherein the second segment threads into the first segment.
 21. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 20, wherein the second segment includes a handle portion.
 22. The portable cutting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the frame includes a handle for grasping the apparatus and moving it.
 23. A method of forming a portable cutting apparatus, the apparatus including first and second side members, a plurality of cross members, and a cantilever member, the method comprising the steps of: a. forming the first and second side members; b. forming a plurality of cross members; c. forming openings having a predetermined depth in the side members, each side member having an opening for each cross-member; d. inserting opposite end portions of each cross-member in a press fit into corresponding openings in the side members to connect the side members and the cross-members together to form a frame; and e. pivotally mounting the cantilever member to the frame.
 24. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step of mounting an actuator to the frame and connecting the actuator to the cantilever member.
 25. The method of claim 24, wherein the openings in the side members are counterbored into the side members.
 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the cross-member are tubular and the method further comprises providing tube connectors to further secure the end portion of the cross-members to the side members. 